Worship Recap- January 10, 2010
Jan 12, 2010 Worship Planning
Had an awesome time in our worship service on Sunday. It was one of those Sundays where the different elements just fell into place and you could see people connecting.
Here is our complete list of songs…
So Good-
Ancient of Days-
Wade in the Water-
We also used this video called God’s Faithfulness from Worship House Media
This is what we did at our worship service. To see other worship leaders comments on their services go to this week’s Sunday Setlist #77 at theworshipcommunity.com
Tags: Songlist, Sunday Setlist, Worship Community
What the Texas Longhorns Taught Me About Leading My Worship Team
Jan 8, 2010 Worship Planning
Last night, along with millions of others, I watched the BCS national championship and learned a valuable lesson.
First let me catch some of you non football fans up. Early in the first quarter the Longhorns quarterback, Colt McCoy went down with a shoulder injury. He never returned to the game. Colt McCoy had led the team all season. He had the timing down with his receivers, he was comfortable with the Running backs and he knew all the plays. He was Texas’ best hope against a powerful Tide defense. All of the sudden the man in charge on the field was gone, and a true freshman, Garrett Gilbert, had to step in to take his place.
So what happened? First they didn’t panic. They changed some plays, had some other team members step up, the defense kept them close, the team rallied around their new captain and they played football. The result was a second half comeback to within three points at one point, in a game all thought was lost.
Why did a game that could have been a washout stay close? Because when one man went down there was a back up plan. There was a quarterback who had played, knew the routes and was able to step in. It might not have been ideal, but the game went on.
So what did I learn? What does this have to do with worship leading? I had to ask myself what would happen if the same thing happened to me. What about you?
What if I woke up on a Sunday morning and couldn’t sing? What if you were stranded somewhere by weather and couldn’t make it back in time? What if a kid goes in the hospital and you cannot be in on Sunday morning? What is your backup plan? Is your team set up to continue on without you? As I thought five main things came to mind.
1. Don’t build everything around you!-Make sure that you are not indispensable. It’s not about you anyways so just get over it. If everything relies on you to make it happen then when you are gone, everything falls apart.
2. Create backup songlists- go through your songs and identify ones that other members of your group can lead, and that your instrument is not necessary on. They may not be the songs you would ideally use, but a good list can be created and used for that Sunday. I try to set some of those songs aside and not include them in my regular lists, so they are not over done when needed.
3. Develop multiple leaders- This is an extension of number one. You should work to have several worship leaders. One goal I have is to work with each of my vocalists and give them the tools they need to lead an entire worship service. This means being sensitive to flow, signaling the band, speaking, praying, and choosing songlists.
4. Don’t assign specific songs to people- Something I have gotten in a bind with was when I had certain songs only certain people sing. There are some that we still do this way but they are mostly our offertory non worship set type songs. The majority of our worship songs I try to have different people lead. This way if a certain person is gone, we can still use that song if necessary.
5. Schedule time away before an emergency- Try to schedule time when you are not on stage leading but are still around to help and provide confidence. Maybe take a week and, wait for it, sit with your family during the worship service. When is the last time that happened? I have often sat out during the first part of a service, and then led during the second half. This does two things. First you get a perspective on how things sound from the floor and how people are responding that you cannot see from the stage. Secondly it allows others to lead, without you on stage, so that if an emergency makes it necessary, they can lead in your absence.
While football fans will have to wait till next season for the next National Championship run, you can begin now to implement some of these ideas. And these are just my suggestions. What are yours? What do you do to ensure that it all goes on with out you? What fears do you have about being gone? I would love your comments…
Tags: BCS, Colt Mccoy, Longhorns, Worship, Worship Leading
Sunday Setlist 12/20/09
Dec 20, 2009 Worship Planning
We had an awesome Sunday in the Xperience Service at Williams Memorial. We started off with our own version of Carol of the Bells, ala TSO. Then one of our vocalist sang Amy Grant’s “I Need a Silent Night” followed by a small devotional from Pastor Danny. Then we read the Christmas story from Luke, interspersed with Christmas songs. Breath of Heaven, Away in a Manger, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks- to the tune of Our Great God, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, and Mary Did You Know. Then we took communion and sang I Will Rise during that time.
The service flowed great and everything sounded awesome. We finished up with Silent Night as our song of invitation.
Well that was our service.. what did you sing this week? What did others sing this week? Find out at Fred McKinnon’s Sunday Setlists
Tags: Sunday Setlist
2009 Favorite Songs
Dec 18, 2009 Worship Planning
I pulled our song information from Planning Center Online and was evaluating the songs we used for 2009
The number of times used is first and then the title.
After reading this below then let me know in the comments: What new songs should we do in 2010? What songs should we do more? I’d love your input!
7 Days Of Elijah
7 How Great Is Our God
7 Today Is The Day
6 Everlasting God
6 Jesus Messiah
6 Revive Us Again
5 Ancient Of Days
5 Awaken our Hearts
5 Famous One
5 Meet With Me
5 Mighty to Save
5 Tell The World
5 You Never Let Go
4 All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises
4 Be Glorified
4 Every Move I Make
4 Forever
4 God Of Wonders
4 be the centre
3 Blessed Be Your Name
3 Brand New – chord chart
3 Everyday
3 Everywhere I Go
3 Friend Of God
3 He Reigns
3 I Will Not Forget You
3 Jesus Paid It All
3 Matchless
3 My Savior Lives
3 My Savior My God
3 Open The Eyes Of My Heart
3 Power Of Your love
3 Sing A Song
2 Alleluia
2 Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
2 Breathe
2 Child Of God
2 Communion
2 Everybody Praise The Lord
2 Father Of Lights
2 Gloria
2 Hallelujah
2 I Am Who I Am
2 I Stand Amazed
2 I WIll Sing
2 I Will Rise
2 It’s My Joy
2 My Hope Is You
2 One Way
2 Our Great God
2 People Get Ready
2 Revelation Song
2 So Good
2 The Power Of Your Name
2 Trading My Sorrows
2 We Fall Down
2 Wonder of Your Love
2 You Are Good
1 All Creatures Of Our God And King
1 Anyone ButYOu
1 Away In A Manger
1 Bread Of Life
1 Breath Of Heaven
1 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
1 Come Ye Sinners
1 Cover Us
1 Flower In The Field
1 Goodness and Mercy
1 Grace Like Rain
1 Happy Song
1 Here I Am Lord
1 Here I Am To Worship
1 Holy Is The Lord
1 How Great Thou Art
1 Hungry
1 I Just Want to Celebrate
1 I Pray On Christmas
1 If We Are The Body
1 In Christ Alone
1 In The Secret
1 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
1 Like A Child
1 Lord I Lift Your Name On High
1 Mary Did You Know
1 My Redeemer Lives
1 Nothing But The Blood
1 O Come All Ye Faithful
1 Offering
1 Only You
1 Praise To The Lord The Almighty
1 Salt And Light
1 Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us
1 Sing Sing Sing
1 Strange way to save the world
1 The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power
1 The Heart Of Worship
1 This is my Song
1 What I Want For Christmas
1 Word Of God Speak
1 You Are My All In All
1 silent night
The Right Key is One Key to Stong Vocals
Nov 30, 2009 Worship Planning, Youth Worship
There are many ways you can help your worship team vocalists sing strong with confidence. One thing I discovered this past year is that the right key is the key!
Last year I would introduce a song usually by listening to the cd then having the band try it and vocals sing. Many times they would like the song, however the vocalist would be struggling trying to sing out of their range, or flipping octaves between verse and chorus. Since the music was printed and we had already worked on learning in the original key, it was hard to change keys and we usually just struggled through.
This year we tried something different. This year every new song we introduced to the vocals first. After they learned the basic tune we found the key that best suited their voices. I made a note of the key and then during the next week would print music accordingly.
I have really noticed a difference in a few key areas:
1. They enjoy it more- When they are comfortable with the key they don’t have to worry about how they will hit the notes, and less worry means more fun.
2. They are stronger- Since we chose a key that fits their range they are more confident and sing out.
3. They get more done- Since we no longer take time out in rehearsal searching for keys with the whole band, and transposing music 2-3 times we get more done, learn more music and get better as a band.
What tips do you have for developing vocalists?
Tags: band, CD, Difference, help, listen, Music, New Song, rehearsal, sing, song, Team, tips, vocals, voices, work, Worship, worship team, youth, Youth Worship
Appreciating Your Worship Team- Ask for Feedback
Nov 3, 2009 How To, Worship Planning
Each year I have an end of year evaluation with my pastor and other church leaders. This is a great time to look back on the previous year, talk about goals and identify areas in need of attention.
This year I decided to go a step further. I sent a short survey out to my worship team. After all, these are the guys who are in rehearsals and leading worship with me week in and week out, and I really wanted to know what they were thinking. I will admit I was apprehensive about doing so at first, however now that we have gone through the process it is one that I plan to do every year.
The set up was simple:
1. I used google to create a form
2. I emailed the link out to the team members
3. As they filled in the sheet the answers were collected for me
Here were my questions:
1. Rate the overall musical quality of the worship Team (1-5)
2. How much do rehearsals prepare you for leading worship Sunday morning (1-5)
3. Rate the variety of music presented (1-5)
4. List up to three things you think the band has definately improved on in 2009
5. What are three things you would have liked us to have improved on but we did not?
6. If you were in charge, could do anything you want, what one major change would you make?
7. Give me your idea of something new we should try to do?
8. Can you commit to the worship team for 2010? Why or Why Not?
9. What else would you like to say?
Through providing this opportunity for feedback I was able to hear things that I might not otherwise and address them before problems arise. I am excited too about new suggestions that were given and am looking forward to implementing them in the new year.
I encourage you to find some way where you can receive honest feedback from those you work with on a weekly basis. Not only will it help you to stop possible problems, but it gives your team members ownership.
So.. how do you give opportunities for feedback?
Your comments are appreciated.
Tags: Appreciate, band, Church, email, evaluation, Family, Google, help, leading, Music, question, rehearsal, Sunday, sunday morning, Team, work, Worship, worship team
People Vs Perfection
Oct 29, 2009 Worship Planning
Relating to worship teams and the services we lead what does the following mean to you:
People vs Perfection
Participation vs Performance
Tags: leading, people, Service, Team, Win, Worship, worship team, worship teams
Creative Artists or Praise and Worship Cover Band?
Oct 28, 2009 How To, Worship Planning
I was reading through various friends facebook updates when this one by Chuck Harris caught my attention:
“The church does not prize originality, but rather cloning, it does not prize freedom, but control.” Leonard Sweet.
It got me to thinking about how we approach worship music in the church. Do we foster an atmosphere of creativity and unleash our members to use their talent in unique and creative ways, or do we throttle creativity by insisting on playing a piece just as it was recorded by the latest worship band? I admit it is much easier to do the second. I also think that we are encouraged to do so by artists and publishing companies because they make it so easy. You can find now an extensive library of resources where the worship tunes have been charted out to mimic their recording. It is easier to learn the music when CD’s can be listened to and are available for easy reference. I wonder though if it has not just made us a praise and worship cover band. Although it is easier, is it best?
I had been thinking on this topic even before I read the quote above. One of our band members, who had been thinking along the same lines, asked if we could try an experiment. He said that we should pass out a chord chart to a song, and let us come up with the arrangement before listening to it on the CD.
I really want to get your thoughts.
What are the benefits of using CDs and pre-written charts?
What are the benefits of doing your own thing?
Which do you use more often? Why?
What are other ways you can foster creativity with your band?
Tags: band, CD, charts, chord chart, Church, facebook, Free, late, listen, Music, praise, praise and worship, Reading, Recording, Resource, resources, sing, song, Thoughts, Worship
Worship Planning with Google Wave
Oct 14, 2009 Communication, Media and Technology, Worship Planning
I was invited to a google wave “post” or “blip” or whatever it is called, where my friend was writing a blog post, and wanted some fresh eyes to read over it. He posted his thoughts and what happened next was amazing. About ten other people started sharing thoughts, finding spelling mistakes and making corrections, giving alternate ideas and collaborating on the post.
After watching this for a few minutes I wondered if it could be used for planning worship services? What would happen if someone could start a wave with the sermon and scripture, then let people from all over comment, make song suggestions, give links to videos or tell about a skit they wrote that would fit the topic?
Well let’s find out. First let me say that I know not everyone has Google Wave, and I know this process won’t fully work until it is available everywhere, so hurry up Google! But I think there are enough to give this experiment a try.
I have created a wave for a service we are doing on November 8th. If you have wave add me to your contact list and I will invite you to the wave.
My contact is rgmmusic@googlewave.com
Tags: blog, Google, LInks, Music, people, planning, scripture, Service, song, Thoughts, video, Wave, work, Worship, Worship Planning
Sunday Setlist 9-27-09
Sep 27, 2009 Worship Planning
What a great Sunday at Williams Memorial UMC this week. The best part was a new family joined and we had a baptism.
Here were our songs
Brand New- This is a Kerri Crocker original and she does a great job as always. Was nice to have a song that I just played guitar on.
Salt and Light- This is a song that we have been playing for years now. The scripture this week was about how we are salt of the earth, so seemed like a good fit.
Father of Lights- We introduced this song a few weeks ago to our group. We found a upbeat version with a good guitar solo break in the middle.
Matchless- Used this song during offertory… there’s a question… what do you do during your offertory? New Songs, Worship Songs, Solo songs?
Holy is the Lord- Love this song though we didn’t go through the whole thing because of time but the congregation was singing and sounded good
Tags: Sunday Setlist
